Beasley was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1979 until 1995, serving as majority whip from 1985 to 1986 and the majority leader from 1987 to 1989. He served as the youngest Speaker pro tempore and Majority Leader in the nation.[2] It was during the 1991–92 legislative session that Beasley switched to the Republican Party. During the 1994 election for governor, both Beasley and his Democratic opponent Lieutenant GovernorNick Theodore faced tough primary opposition within their respective parties. Beasley defeated his toughest competitor, former congressman and state senator Arthur Ravenel Jr., in both the primary and run-off, and went on to win the general election by a narrow margin of 50%–48%.

Beasley served as a member of the House from 1979 until 1995, rising through the party ranks to become Majority Whip. He served as the youngest Speaker pro tempore and Majority Leader in the nation, being elected to the position from 1987–1989.[3] It was during the 1991–92 legislative session that Beasley switched to the Republican Party. During the 1994 election for governor, both Beasley and his Democratic opponent Lieutenant GovernorNick Theodore had tough primary fights within their own respective parties. Beasley, however, beat his toughest competitor, former Congressman and State Senator Arthur Ravenel Jr., in both the primary and run-off, and went on to win the general election by a narrow margin of 50%–48%.

South Carolina had a strong economy while Beasley was governor, with unemployment at a record-low 3.5% in 1998.
[4] Beasley often touted his Christ-centered beliefs and his conservatism in a state known for its strong ties to Christianity and conservative politics.[5]

Beasly was strongly opposed to gambling, which was legal in South Carolina until 2002.[6] At the time, many gas stations, convenience stores, and poker "casinos" were established across the state, and as Beasley supported legislation that would outlaw gambling, the video poker industry generated campaign advertisements through "Ban Beasley" billboards and radio ads.[7]

Until 2000, the Confederate flag flew on top of the South Carolina State House, which had been raised over the Capitol dome in 1961 as an expression of opposition to racial integration. Beasley initially supported the flag's presence but announced on statewide television in 1996 that he had reversed his decision and believed the flag should be relocated to a monument elsewhere on the grounds. Beasley's position on the Confederate flag cost him many Republican votes in the next election. The flag was removed from the capitol dome in 2000 after Beasley left office. It was displayed on a pole in front of the statehouse until it was removed from the grounds in 2015 after the Emanuel Nine shooting. [8] Beasley also faced allegations of having an affair with his former press secretary, Ginny Wolfe. Beasley refuted the claims, stating "I can tell you right up front [my wife] Mary Wood and I love each other dearly. We both have been faithful to one another 100 percent."

In February 2017, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (also a former South Carolina governor) nominated Beasley to be the next Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).[13]United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and U.N. Food and Agriculture OrganizationJosé Graziano da Silva appointed Beasley to the post in March 2017, saying the former governor brought "extensive experience with key governmental and business leaders and stakeholders around the world, with very strong resource mobilisation skills."[14] Guterres also said Beasley had been among 23 applications/nominations for the position.[15]